Improvement in locks



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

ERASTUS S. BENNETT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, JAMES THOUBBORON, AND LYDIA BROWN, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN LOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 34,460, dated February 18, 1362.

T0 a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EEAsTUs S. BENNETT, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented, made, and applied to use a certain new and useful Improvement in Key-Holes for Locks and Latches; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of my said invention, reference being had to theannexed drawings, making part of this speciticatiomwhere- Iiigure l is a vertical section of an ordinary latch with my improved key-hole as applied thereto, and Fig. 2 is an elevation ot' the key.

The same parts are indicated by similar letters.

The nature of my said invention consists in the employment of a long curved or bent keyhole, combined with a universal joint in the key-shank, whereby the key itself can be properly rotated, although the bow of the key is not on a line with the barrel part carrying the key-bit. This bent key-hole prevents the introduction of picks and false keys far more than the ordinary keyhole and eiectually prevents any person from inspecting the interior of the lock or latch by the use of retlectors. Ihave shown my said bent key-hole as applied with a common spring-latch; but said key-hole has no necessary connection with any one character of lock or latch and can be applied wherever available, although especially available with such locks and latches as are opened by a cylindrical key, because in that case a round key-hole can be employed and not require notches or grooves therein to pass the keybits, although such' notches may be provided.

In the drawings, a is the case and h the spring latch or bolt of any usual character. c is the cap-plate, to which my bent key-hole d is applied. This bent or angular key-hole is provided with an opening at each end large enough for the key; but the interior should be formed rather larger, as shown, to allow the straight pieces forming the key to pass in without binding in the hole.

The key e is formed in two pieces united by the universal joint at f, and g is the key-bit, which may be of any usual construction. I have, however, shown the common and wellknown swinging bit, which turns off at right angles when within the lock and when rotated forces the bolt or latch back. Wards may be applied to the key bits, as usual.

I have shown the universal joint f as made by a cross-pin taking an elongated hole in the other piece, as this will allow sufficient latitude of motion and also insure the turning of the bits by the bow of the handle.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The bent or angular key-hole formed substantially as shown, in combination with the divided key shank e, connect-ed by the universal joint f, for the purposes specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature this 28th day of December, 1861. l

E. S. BENNETT.

Witnesses: A

LEMUEL W. SEERELL, THos. GEO. HAROLD. 

